***

Frank heard the sound of the back door opening and pushed back from his desk in the study.  He was waiting for the call back from Monica after Cody's computer searches had completed and she could give him any and all information found on the Everett family.  By the time he made it to the study's door, Farron was standing before him.  "How's Kara?"

"Frightened and completely in over her head," he stated bluntly.  "But she's holding up.  What have you found out?"  He noticed Alex and Jake sitting on the small sofa against the far wall.  He was so not in the mood to deal with Jake's attitude toward him.  He nodded briefly in acknowledgement, but chose not to speak. 

Frank shrugged and listened to the sound of Loralei moving about upstairs as she put Rachel down for a nap.  "Waiting for the reports to come in.  Cody dropped Alex and Jake off before he headed over to Kara's.  He'll go over the entire house, including phone lines."

"Rachel's sleeping," Loralei informed them upon entering.  "Any word from Monica yet?" 

As if on cue the phone rang.  Frank stabbed at it impatiently, placing it on speaker.  "What do we have, Monica?"  He sat down at the computer while everyone stood behind him.

"I'm patching the data through to your computer.  As you can see, most of the information is pretty basic.  The company itself is very stable and has been run by John Everett since Jonathan Everett's death five years ago.  Rumor has it that some bad blood developed between John and Brian Everett over the decision that the youngest son would run the company."

Frank nodded absently as he scanned the file on the screen.  "Step son was the oldest, but vanity insisted that his true son run his company."

"You'll notice that John Everett handles Kara's trust fund and it has doubled in size to 30 million dollars from the time he took it over.    John's trust was put back into the company.  Brian's has virtually disappeared," Monica continued.  "Apparently he makes a regular stop to watch the ponies and various other gambling activities.  Not to mention some rather poor investments."

"Well, Farron...looks like you struck the mother load," Jake sneered.  Loralei had made mention that Farron had hooked up with the heiress and had gone off on an extended vacation with her.  Poor bitch; that slick bastard really had her fooled.

"Fuck off," Farron snapped odiously.  If it had been any other time, any other place, he might enjoy bantering with the little jerk.  Might even enjoy making the fucker bleed.  There were more important things on his mind.  Kara.  Helping Kara get her family back and in one piece.  If Jake thought he was after Kara's money, let him.  He had known Kara was wealthy; it was almost impossible for her to hide it.  Her home was filled with pricey art, she had expensive taste in clothing, and had whisked him away on holiday without a moment's notice.  Everything had been first class.  No, he knew she was wealthy; he just had not known she was that wealthy.

"Are we listening, or are we going to have a knock down, drag out?" Monica snapped.  There was more going on than they were aware of yet. 

"Go ahead, Monica," Frank ordered, giving Jake a sharp look.

"Okay.  All three Everett children attended Princeton University.  Kara has a BA in Art, Brian never obtained a degree, and John has a Master's in Business."

"Clue me in to why their schooling is important?" Farron asked impatiently.

"Shut up or get lost," Jake spat.  "You have no business here."

"You sanctimonious little bastard," Farron ground out through clenched teeth.

Frank held up a hand to cut Farron off.  If he let it go on, nothing would get accomplished.  "Go on, Monica."

"Two years before his death, John Everett Sr. was arrested for assault and battery on his oldest son, Brian." 

"What?"  Farron was a bit shocked.  Kara had told him many things about her family and the tension between the siblings, but she had never mentioned her father had been arrested for beating her brother.

"Yes," Monica sighed.  "It's a pretty sick reason, too.  The files were buried deep, but the initial police report stated that Mr. Everett had come across young Brian watching his little sister while she was swimming the in the family's pool.  Let's just say he was taking matters into hand."

"Jesus fucking Christ!" Farron roared as he bolted for the door. 

Frank shot out of his chair and reached his brother before he could get further than the doorway.  "What the hell, Farron?"

"Goddamn, Frank.  That sick fuck came into Kara's home and found us in bed together."  Farron ran a hand over his jaw, trying to compose himself.  "You've just told me that Brian has it for Kara in a major twisted way.  Don't you think his finding her in bed with another man might crack him fully?  Jesus, you didn't see his reaction!"

"Okay, Okay...let's go," Frank slapped him on the back.  "Loralei, stay here with the baby."  She nodded her response and watched everyone file out of the house.

***

While Frank and company were waiting for the information on Kara's family, Cody was busily sweeping the house for bugs.  Not a one was found on the upper floors and he was heading downstairs.  He could hear Kara and her brother in a heated discussion in the sitting room, so he made his way to the kitchen to give them some manner of privacy.

"Kara, your behavior is unacceptable," Brian insisted.  "You don't honestly think Father would approve of that...that...man."

Kara blinked at his blatant hostility.  Where was all this coming from?  "Actually, I am very sure Daddy would approve.  You don't know Farron, Bri.  You have no idea the kind of man he is."  She paced the floor impatiently.    "You judge him by the length of his hair.  How completely shallow of you."

"Darling sister," he interrupted.  "We were raised to look down upon such things, or did you forget that?  Mother tried to make you a lady, but you never listened to her."

Kara rolled her eyes.  "That is completely untrue.  I listened to her when she made sense.  If for no other reason than the fact that I love Farron, Daddy would be more than impressed with his actions the night those awful men took Loralei and me."  She stood toe to toe, facing him.  "Have you forgotten that Brian?  He helped save my life."

"Yes, so you say," Brian ground out through clenched teeth.  "I don't want to talk about your sex toy any longer, Kara.  I came back to tell you the lawyers have the money ready and I think we should go pick it up."  He grasped her elbow and led her toward the door.  "We'll be getting our brother back soon, and that should be the only thing on your mind."

"Okay, Brian," she acquiesced.  "I won't force you to accept Farron in my life, but before we just leave, I need to let him know where I'm going."

Cody wandered into the foyer, equipment in hand.  He saw Brian reaching for the doorknob while he held firmly onto Kara's arm.  "Where ya goin?" he asked, moving closer.  He spied something he had not noticed before, the necklace Kara wore. 

"To the lawyers," Kara said quickly, wondering why Cody was staring at her neck.

"Nice necklace.  May I?" he asked, reaching out to touch it.

"Sure.  Farron gave this to me the night before we left the Caribbean.  Isn't it beautiful?" she asked proudly.  He had said he was not one for buying jewelry for women, but he wanted to give her something to remember their time together.

"It is...it is," Cody agreed as he slipped two fingers under the chain to get a closer look.  It was silver and gold threads woven into tiny, delicate hearts that formed three larger hearts that intertwined each other.  He smiled at her before removing his hand.  "Very pretty."

"We have to go, Kara," Brian insisted, tugging on her firmly.

"Cody, tell Farron...we'll be back shortly."

***

To be continued...